Silence // Abigale Bell

 "Silence," the title and the theme of Shūsaku Endō's work is constant throughout the story. Even in the first four parts, the word "silence" has been used numerous times. The meaning of this word seems to be twofold. 

In one sense, the meaning of the word is literal. When the Samauri come to interrogate the village, Garrpe and Rodrigues see them coming through the trees. "Not a sound could be heard...even the barking of the dogs has suddenly come to an end, and Tomogi was like an ancient, abandoned ruin" (Endo, 51). This silence raised the tension of the passage set a tone of forboding for the reader. When the peasants are brought before the Samauri, they must keep their silence in order to protect the Christians. "The peasants stood erect, silent. Men, women, children--all were silent" (53). The word used twice further emphasizes its importance.

The figurative use of "silence" seems to point to a deeper spiritual state. This deeper issue is illustrated explicitly further in the passage. "Why has Our Lord imposed this torture and this persecution on poor Japanese peasants?...Kichijirō was trying to express something different, something even more sickening. The silence of God" (57). The Christians in Japan had had no relief for so long that they had become discouraged and felt abandoned by God. However, they remained faithful through persecution and refused to renounce their faith.  

This story is a challenge to the beliver. It asks the question, is it better to speak up boldly and claim to be a Christian knowing death will follow? Can one be silent and still claim Christianity? In our American culture today, we are taught to boldly speak the name of Jesus. Christians are proud of their willingness to speak up regardless of the circumstances. Yet we live in a world that is generally open and accepting of Christianity. Would we be just as willing when faced with such persecution as the Japanese Christians withstood? Is our boldness for Christ simply a defiant stance against political mandates? Would we be willing to stay silent and steadfast against persecution and speak without words the greatness of Christ?


(Commented via text on Haylee's and Braylan's posts)

Comments

  1. Raygan BosterApril 11, 2022 at 9:47 PM

    You asked some really challenging questions that I think every Christian should really ponder and answer. Would we be able to do half of the things these Christians were doing for their faith? I think if most people answered honestly, they would not be able to say yes.

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  2. Braylan StringfellowApril 12, 2022 at 9:12 AM

    The title of this work is extremely appropriate to the theme of it. I almost wrote my blog on it but I decided not to. I am glad that someone did though. When I was reading it I definitely picked up on the literal sense of the word of how everyone was staying quiet out of fear. I did not however realize how well it represents the spiritual nature in Japan.

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  3. Lily CaswellApril 12, 2022 at 9:32 AM

    As someone who has read many autobiographical accounts of missionaries and has heard firsthand stories of people who have made mission trips to countries, I always think of Romans 10:9. It says that “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Christianity is quite literally a “go-and-tell” religion and I think that missionaries should already know the risks and be prepared to suffer and die (if needs be) to spread the Gospel of Christ.

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